Heading into the weekend, a quarterfinal match is on the line as only eight teams will continue their journey on the road to Stony Brook. Here’s a preview of this weekend’s impact players:

Florida vs. Albany

Shannon Gilroy, Florida, Midfield (Fr.)
The rookie attacker has flourished in her first year as a Gator. In addition to her scoring prowess, Gilroy is one of the nation’s top draw specialists (66 draw controls in 2012). Her unselfish play and ability to produce on the attacking end of the field makes Florida especially dangerous. Sitting out fall ball due to ACL recovery, Gilroy’s play continues to get more and more dominant each time she steps foot on the field.

Jenn Primeau, Albany, Defense (Sr.)
A mainstay in the Great Dane defense during her four years at Albany, Primeau leads the young defensive unit in 2012. Her ability to shutdown the opposition’s leading scorer and spark Albany in transition has led to her being named an All-America East selection the past three seasons. During her final season as a Great Dane, Primeau has collected 22 ground balls and 25 draw controls on the year.

Northwestern vs. Notre Dame

Alyssa Leonard, Northwestern, Midfield (So.)
Northwestern’s leader in draw controls (64) this season, Leonard’s ability to gain valuable possessions and control the center circle for the ‘Cats is game-changing. This past weekend, the Wildcats were dominated on draw controls by the Gators, 18-5. If Notre Dame makes a game out of Saturday, they will do so by attempting to equalize Northwestern’s dominance on the draw. If Leonard provides a lights-out performance when the whistle blows, it could be a long day for the Irish.

Barbara Sullivan, Notre Dame, Defense (Fr.)
Sullivan has hit the ground running in South Bend for Coach Christine Halfpenney. She leads the team in both ground balls (37) and caused turnovers (29) and sits second on the Fighting Irish lineup in draws (30). Also a solid 1v1 defender, strong play by Sullivan will be crucial for Notre Dame on Saturday as the Irish travel to Evanston to take on No. 2 Northwestern.

Maryland vs. UMass

Karri Ellen Johnson, Maryland, Attack (Sr.)
There’s arguably no player in the country that wants to be playing more on Memorial Day weekend than Maryland’s KEJ. Johnson was sidelined with a concussion a year ago as she watched Northwestern narrowly edge her team in the national title match. Once again sitting on top of her team in draw controls (63), the Maryland senior is going to be facing off with one of the top draw specialists in the nation this weekend. Her production offensively in addition to controlling the draw could be what sets Maryland apart on their hunt to return to the Final Four.

Lauren Terracciano, UMass, Attack (Jr.)
Terracciano ranks second on the squad in scoring with 66 points (35g, 31a). The lefty attacker is finishing at almost 60% accuracy and presents just as much of a threat as a feeder. A key in this weekend’s matchup with the Terps will be a balanced attacking unit. Sarcona’s strength from the center circle (103 draw controls in 2012) will likely put the ball in Massachusetts’ attacking end often and a balanced attacking unit will be key for the Minutewomen.

Syracuse vs. Dartmouth

Kirkland Locey, Syracuse, Midfield (So.) & Kailah Kempney, Syracuse, Attack (Fr.)
The duo of Orange teammates often split draw duties for No. 4 Syracuse and they will be teaming up to stop Dartmouth’s Sarah Plumb this weekend. The Ivy League Player of The Year is one of the nation’s top players and her ability to control the ball from the center circle was key in Dartmouth’s pair of Ivy tournament wins last weekend. Locey is able to match Plumb in size, while Kempney’s ability to self draw is very impressive. Last time out Syracuse dominated the Big Green in draws as they ran by Dartmouth in the Carrier Dome. But, the senior-laden Dartmouth squad has regrouped and looked like a championship caliber team a week ago.

Georgia Bird, Dartmouth, Defense (Sr.)
Defensively Dartmouth is about as solid as any team in the nation. Georgia Bird leads a defensive unit that held Penn to just four goals in the Ivy championship. Bird, Hilary Smith and Kelsey Johnson will likely draw the Tumolo, Murray and Webster matchups. If Dartmouth can get on the board early and control the draw, the Big Green defensive unit will be a tough one to crack for Syracuse on Sunday.

North Carolina vs. Navy

Becky Lynch, North Carolina, Attack (Sr.)
The Tar Heels’ leader in points and draw controls has played in three Final Fours during her time at UNC. Looking to make their way back to championship Sunday, Lynch will be a main component of their run which starts this weekend. Facing off against a high-powered offensive team, Lynch’s ability to control the draw, score and feed is crucial for this North Carolina team. When the reigning First Team All American plays well, the Heels play well.

Loren Generi, Navy, Attack (Fr.)
While Generi ranks third on the team in scoring, her 117 draw controls on the year are a large margin above the rest of her teammates. The rookie USNA attacker provides depth to this Navy attacking unit that averages 14.88 goals per game. The 2012 Rookie of The Year & All-Patriot League Second Team selection will need a strong outing this weekend if the Mids hope to run with the Heels. But, her ability to control the draw could give Navy the opportunity to dictate the pace of the game.

Loyola vs. Penn

Ana Henneberry, Loyola, Defense (Sr.)
The Greyhounds top 1v1 defender, Henneberry plays a very important role in one of the top defensive units in the nation. Loyola is one of the hottest teams in the country heading into the NCAA tournament this weekend. Offensively the ‘Hounds have been on fire; but, Loyola is going to be squaring off with a very disciplined Penn backline. In a game that could be close if Penn is able to stick to their game plan, Henneberry & Co. will have to turn in a strong performance to stifle a very balanced Penn attacking unit.

Emily Leitner, Penn, Goalkeeper (Sr.)
The 2012 First Team All-Ivy Goalkeeper was lights out last weekend and was arguably the leading factor in Penn’s win over Harvard on Friday evening. Playing behind a relatively young defensive unit, Leitner’s ability to cause turnovers in addition to stopping point-blank attempts will be key heading into the NCAA tournament. Squaring off with a young attacking unit, Leitner’s experience in net could be the difference vs. the Greyhounds.

Duke vs. Virginia

Katherine Thomas, Duke, Midfield (Sr.)
With Thomas back in the lineup, the Devils are one of the top threats in the nation from the midfield. Missing most of 2012 due to a foot injury, the reigning All American brings a wealth of playoff experience back to the field for Duke. This will be Thomas’ fifth game of the season as Duke Coach Kerstin Kimmel recently said that Kat is starting to look like her usual self out on the field. A playmaker on both ends of the field, Thomas’ presence will be key in the Blue Devils’ NCAA success.

Sloane Warren, Virginia, Attack (Fr.)
Warren slowly worked her way into the starting lineup for the ‘Hoos this season and has emerged as one of UVA’s top scoring threats in 2012. Ranking second on the team in points (26g, 12a) behind Josie Owen, Warren provides depth to an attacking lineup that hasn’t played to their potential yet this season. If the Cavaliers come out firing on all cylinders this weekend, they could find themselves playing their way back in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Towson vs. Penn State

Andi Raymond, Towson, Attack (So.)
In what will likely be one of the biggest battles of the weekend, Raymond and the Tigers will host Penn State this weekend in Towson’s first-ever NCAA tournament home game on Saturday afternoon. The sophomore attacker leads the team in points with a very balanced 33 goals and 33 assists. In 2012, the Tigers captured the CAA title and have won their last 10 games. When they square off with the Nittany Lions this weekend, Raymond’s ability to both score and set her teammates up to do so will be huge for Towson.

Dana Cahill, Penn State, Goalkeeper (Sr.)
Head coach Missy Doherty returns to Towson to take on the program that she coached for seven seasons before heading to Penn State in 2011 as the Nittany Lions are making their first NCAA appearance since 2005. A two-time ALC Goalkeeper of The Year, senior Dana Cahill will be leading PSU on the trip down to Baltimore. Facing off a team that boasts a number of offensive weapons, a strong performance from Cahill could be key for PSU as they look to keep its’ perfect record (6-0 all time) against the Towson Tigers en route to an NCAA quarterfinal berth.